tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post7555664083846990717..comments2024-02-21T03:32:15.577-05:00Comments on Jill Kemerer: First 3 Chapters: From Blah to Bang!Jill Kemererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-49252459032685887692011-12-03T13:07:50.500-05:002011-12-03T13:07:50.500-05:00Am battling that right now. I know the storyline a...Am battling that right now. I know the storyline and where it's going, but am having trouble "getting to know" the characters enough to make them come alive.Linda Glazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04374683352435771715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-47919955009214439742011-12-03T09:22:44.669-05:002011-12-03T09:22:44.669-05:00I've started TONS of movies only to realize I&...I've started TONS of movies only to realize I've seen them before... :) Great post, Jill. Glad you were able to un-blah your chapters!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-28907515160323892462011-12-03T09:07:39.341-05:002011-12-03T09:07:39.341-05:00Love hearing from all of you! Thanks for sharing y...Love hearing from all of you! Thanks for sharing your experience with those pesky first 3 chapters!!<br /><br />And thanks for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-7460137200571725262011-12-02T13:19:53.620-05:002011-12-02T13:19:53.620-05:00Our recent talk on this topic really helped me fal...Our recent talk on this topic really helped me fall back in love with my MC. But first I had to identify the gaping holes in her character. I appreciate your guidance. You are solid gold, lady! Can't wait to see you soon!!!<br />~ WendyWendy Paine Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15136235074351188350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-1601979599549152462011-12-02T13:08:47.183-05:002011-12-02T13:08:47.183-05:00Yes, I have read books that I have previously fini...Yes, I have read books that I have previously finished. Mostly this happens with mysteries. I can't believe that I don't remember the firs parts of these books. You are smart to make those first 3 chapters so memorable.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163662759281341381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-44584107362379257262011-12-02T12:29:10.116-05:002011-12-02T12:29:10.116-05:00I can SO relate to this! First chapters are always...I can SO relate to this! First chapters are always hard for me. Even when I write one that I like, I'll go back later, analyze it, and still realize I missed the mark. THIS is one of the biggest reasons (among many others) why I love critique partners and people willing to take a look at the first couple chapters of my work. Always a help!Cindy R. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13488732331021750408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-25784342329214392942011-12-02T11:57:34.939-05:002011-12-02T11:57:34.939-05:00I recently spent two weeks working on just the fir...I recently spent two weeks working on just the first three chapters. Like you, it was mostly on my heroin.Susan R. Millshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09578747592345750650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-26802485541190197572011-12-02T11:35:22.918-05:002011-12-02T11:35:22.918-05:00Great post, thank you! Like others here, I had the...Great post, thank you! Like others here, I had the same problem just last week, where I realized my opening couple of chapters built the setting and introduced my protag in a situation of peril (and no I don't always start my books with action :)), EXCEPT there was no risk or tension in the piece at all. It fell totally flat.<br /><br />You're so right. A bit of brainstorming, and much better now!Graeme Inghttp://www.graemeing.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-37932844855637148762011-12-02T10:09:04.530-05:002011-12-02T10:09:04.530-05:00What awesome advice. I rewrote the first three cha...What awesome advice. I rewrote the first three chapters NUMEROUS times until I was happy with them. As others said, they are vital. And I'm happy to hear from others breaking that writing rule. Sometimes I forge on, but it's very hard for me not to fix something glaring.<br /><br />Great post!Stacy Greenhttp://stacygreenauthor.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-84714092048392699842011-12-02T10:03:23.921-05:002011-12-02T10:03:23.921-05:00I'm like you. If I don't like what I'm...I'm like you. If I don't like what I'm writing, I stop. It makes doing the end much easier! But great advice about sprinkling in that individuality. :)Janet Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12688012956157161889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-9374229385496347172011-12-02T09:44:33.707-05:002011-12-02T09:44:33.707-05:00I'm glad you figured out what wasn't worki...I'm glad you figured out what wasn't working, Jill, and were able to add the zing you were after. I'm sure your heroine is happy about that, too. =)Keli Gwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13236868298400593688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-59246984234015584302011-12-02T09:29:37.527-05:002011-12-02T09:29:37.527-05:00Good morning!
Laura: I agree. I'm not the mos...Good morning!<br /><br />Laura: I agree. I'm not the most patient person, so I never get bogged down indefinitely!<br /><br />Joanne: Isn't that the truth? The choices they make do reveal their characters. I love that thought!<br /><br />K. Victoria: Ha! It is always the woman, isn't it? Too funny! :)<br /><br />Terri: I hear you! Those first chapters can be fabulous...or not. I work hard to get them right!<br /><br />Storygal: My MC has plenty of conflict, but she also has a very different way of seeing the world--I hadn't shown the scenes through this unique lens, and it hurt the book. <br /><br />Ayda: Oh, I'm so glad I'm not the only one! <br /><br />Heather: I don't like missing out on word count either, but I agree--sometimes it's necessary. I can't keep writing when I know something is majorly off. :)<br /><br />Katie: Thanks! Every book seems to have its own challenge!<br /><br />Cynthia: We do all struggle to get our books the best they can be, don't we? And I'm with you--edits take time. I do mine in phases so I don't get overwhelmed.<br /><br />Jessica P: Same here! I'll think, this sounds familiar, and then a few chapters in I'll know why. Duh!<br /><br />Thanks so much for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-32318326260047897912011-12-02T09:12:11.952-05:002011-12-02T09:12:11.952-05:00I've picked up books I've read before and ...I've picked up books I've read before and not realized it until a few chapters in. Eeek! <br /><br />Great tips!Jessica R. Patchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13614501794157211301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-1815621495988028012011-12-02T08:42:48.347-05:002011-12-02T08:42:48.347-05:00I learning that now, not to rush through the edits...I learning that now, not to rush through the edits and really be patient with it.Cynthia DiFilippo Elomaahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07690665731154250664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-74802065586155715052011-12-02T08:41:02.896-05:002011-12-02T08:41:02.896-05:00It's a relief to know that many writers have s...It's a relief to know that many writers have shared in this same dilemma, Jill. The wonderful thing? You thought about it, fixed it, and moved on! :)Cynthia Herronhttp://www.authorcynthiaherron.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-3797528335662812972011-12-02T07:59:57.363-05:002011-12-02T07:59:57.363-05:00Oh my, I know that feeling SO well. Just experienc...Oh my, I know that feeling SO well. Just experienced it recently, in fact! Glad you fixed the problem, Jill!Katie Gansherthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09150375338556869812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-56710935693603486362011-12-02T07:55:12.056-05:002011-12-02T07:55:12.056-05:00I don't follow that rule either, Jill. I did o...I don't follow that rule either, Jill. I did once, and the book was such a disaster and very unfixable. If I know something is really, really wrong, I stop and brainstorm how to fix it. It's hard to lose a day of hitting word counts, but the word counts come so much more easily to me when I know I'm writing in the right direction. It's worth it TO ME to fix the big problems as I go.Heather Sunserihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12552506888985553471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-444948447899764102011-12-02T07:54:57.295-05:002011-12-02T07:54:57.295-05:00A few months ago, I bought a book that was hugely ...A few months ago, I bought a book that was hugely popular - it was made into a movie and everything - on my Kindle. As I started reading it, I realized I'd gotten it from the library when it when it first came out, and put it down without finishing it because those first few chapters hadn't grabbed me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-28236344553544212632011-12-02T07:50:37.347-05:002011-12-02T07:50:37.347-05:00The opening does introduce us to the main characte...The opening does introduce us to the main character and excites us about the plot. Does the main character need more conflict within herself?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-16793264527763919982011-12-02T07:29:25.458-05:002011-12-02T07:29:25.458-05:00Good for you!! I can't wait to read it:) I'...Good for you!! I can't wait to read it:) I'm doing that now with my current WIP--going back through the first chapters and trying to really make it stand out more.Terri Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-8570948597935960692011-12-02T07:28:16.695-05:002011-12-02T07:28:16.695-05:00I typically have the same problem, and it's us...I typically have the same problem, and it's usually not enough internal dialogue from the heroine. Why is it always the woman? LOLVhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09753199463334338618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-60198806494352249582011-12-02T07:14:01.569-05:002011-12-02T07:14:01.569-05:00Those opening pages are so important. As I prepare...Those opening pages are so important. As I prepared my novel for its Spring publication, I made certain the story opens with a pivotal situation. The characters' choices in how to handle it reveal much about who they really are.Joannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03972054718663959694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-46074881355213385462011-12-02T07:05:13.017-05:002011-12-02T07:05:13.017-05:00Sometimes, it's important to have a good start...Sometimes, it's important to have a good start. As long as it doesn't keep happening for months, I see nothing wrong in fixing earlier chapters.Laura Paulinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06503090226508079501noreply@blogger.com